Work and Stay in France After Graduation: Student Work Rules (2026/27)

In France, international students can work up to 964 hours a year alongside their studies, and graduates with a master's or equivalent degree can apply for a 12-month permit to look for a job or create a business. To move on to a work permit, the job must be related to your studies and pay at least €2,702.70 gross a month, according to Campus France.

This guide explains the rules while you study, the post-study permit step by step, how to switch status once you find a job, and the further-study route to a PhD. Rules are taken from Campus France and Service Public.

Working while you study

Campus France explains that international students holding a student residence permit or a VLS-TS can work alongside their studies up to 964 hours a year, which is 60% of full-time legal working hours. Campus France says a separate provisional work authorisation (APT) is no longer needed, except for Algerian students, whose status is governed by the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreement (their limit is 50% of full time).

• Required internships don't count. Internships that are part of your program are outside the 964-hour limit.
• Minimum wage applies. The SMIC was €12.02 gross per hour on 1 January 2026.
• Net pay is lower. Campus France estimates about €9.52 net per hour after social contributions.
• Studies come first. Your residence permit depends on being a genuine student, and renewal requires continued enrolment.

Types of student work Campus France describes

Speaking French widens your options considerably. Some programs also include paid internships: the University of Montpellier IDIL graduate program, for example, offers scholarships and paid internships in M1 and M2.

Keeping your student status

Your first year is covered by the VLS-TS. After that you apply online for a student residence permit 4 to 2 months before your VLS-TS or permit expires. The tax is €100, and a late application costs an extra €180, except for force majeure or if you hold a valid visa. Missing renewals can put your job and your studies at risk.

The post-study permit: 'recherche d'emploi / création d'entreprise'

Once you graduate, you can apply for a temporary residence permit to look for work or create a business. Campus France sets out the rules:

During these 12 months you can look for and hold a job without the student hour limit, provided the job relates to your studies and meets the salary threshold, and you can prepare to create a company in a field related to your training.

Switching to a work permit

When your situation changes, you apply for a new permit, at the latest before the 12 months end. According to Campus France:

Campus France also mentions a multi-year 'talent' permit where the annual gross salary is above €43,243. Because the wording of thresholds differs slightly between sections of the page, confirm the exact rule with your prefecture before you apply.

Step by step: from graduation to a job

1. 1

   Start job hunting in your final year

   Use internships, university career services and your professors' networks.

2. 2

   Check your eligibility

   Make sure your degree qualifies (master's or equivalent) and that your nationality doesn't follow a bilateral agreement.

3. 3

   Apply before your student permit expires

   Request the 12-month 'recherche d'emploi / création d'entreprise' permit at the prefecture and pay €75.

4. 4

   Work while you search

   You can work during the permit, in a job related to your studies that meets the salary threshold.

5. 5

   Switch status when you sign

   Apply for the work permit that matches your contract before the 12 months end.

Left France? You have 4 years

If you went home after graduating, you can still come back. Campus France says you can apply at the French consulate of your country of residence within 4 years of obtaining your diploma. You receive a VLS-TS 'recherche d'emploi / création d'entreprise', which you validate online within three months of arriving in France.

Further study: master's to PhD

Many graduates continue to a doctorate. PhDs are not subject to differentiated fees: non-EU doctoral students pay €398 a year (2026/27). Doctoral admission works through doctoral schools rather than Études en France, and candidates with a doctoral fellowship apply for the 'passeport talent - chercheur' visa. Eiffel also funds doctoral students aged 35 or under with €2,000 a month. See scholarships in France.

A residence timeline from first year to first job

Mistakes that close the door

• Letting your student permit expire before applying for the job-search permit. In France the application must be made before expiry.
• Working over 964 hours a year while studying, which breaks the conditions of your student status.
• Accepting a job outside your field or below the salary threshold and expecting it to qualify for a work permit.
• Applying late for renewals, which costs an extra €180 and creates stress at the worst moment.
• Assuming the rules are the same for every nationality. Algerian students and nationals of countries with migration agreements follow different rules.

Researchers

Researchers who held a passeport talent 'chercheur' and completed their research can also use the 12-month job-search permit. If they continue in research, Campus France points them to a multi-year 'talent' permit that does not require validation of the employment contract.

Honest challenges

• Language: many employers expect French, even in international teams. Start learning early.
• Salary threshold: the €2,702.70 gross monthly minimum rules out many entry-level jobs.
• Field match: the job must relate to your studies, so a random job won't qualify.
• Paperwork: prefecture appointments and contract validation take time, so apply early.
• One chance: the job-search permit can't be renewed.

Tips to improve your chances

• Choose a program with internships or industry links.
• Do your required internship in a company that hires graduates.
• Reach a working level of French by the end of your master's.
• Keep every residence document valid and renewed on time, because a gap in status can block your next permit.

Plan the whole path from the start with the complete guide to studying in France and our France student visa guide. You can also track deadlines for free on FindUniPath or browse the France country hub.